John Heatwole

John L. Heatwole, III
Born	(1948-03-24)March 24, 1948 Washington, DC
Died	(2006-11-22)November 22, 2006 Rockingham Memorial Hospital,Harrisonburg, Virginia
Resting place	Green Hill Cemetery,Churchville, Virginia
Citizenship	United States
Spouse	Miriam Dale Heatwole
Parents	John L. Heatwole, Jr. (father) Lillye Marie Preston Heatwole (mother)

John L. Heatwole(1948–2006) was an artist, historian, tour guide, and storyteller who gathered and preserved hundreds of oral history and folklore stories from theShenandoah Valleyand throughoutVirginiaandWest Virginiathrough writings, lectures, and radio programs.

Heatwole was born inWashington, DCand grew up inNorthern Virginia,where he met his wife Miriam. After high school, he served in theU.S. Marine Corps.He worked at theLibrary of Congress.

Heatwole moved to theShenandoah Valleyat the persuasion of his uncle and began work at the Virginia Craftsmen Furniture Company inHarrisonburg, Virginia,in March 1974 as head woodcarver.He opened his own shop inBridgewater, Virginia,in 1976.

Heatwole died of inoperable cancer on November 22, 2006.

Artist

Heatwole began working in clay, but turned to woodcarving in his early 20s, seeking out two mentors who taught him to use woodcarving tools.Heatwole exhibited his art publicly for many years before finding a strategic success when his art was showcased in theNeiman Marcusdepartment store's 1979 Christmas window in Washington, DC.He continued shows there until 1985.TheDelaware Art Museuminvited Heatwole to show his work in 1989, and in 1990 added a piece to its permanent collection.In 2004, theHarrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Societydisplayed more than 200 pieces at its museum in Dayton for a 30th anniversary celebration of the artist's career-change decision.In 1991 Heatwole became the first artist from Virginia to display art in theCapitol Rotunda.As of 2004, Heatwole estimated he had completed about 3,000 pieces of art.

Historian and preservationist

Heatwole's interest in Civil War history began as a child. He salvaged bullets, buckles, pot pieces and other war-related artifacts from a field near his home.

Heatwole was the author of many books and booklets, including theVirginia and West Virginia Mountain and Valley Folk Life SeriesandThe Burning: Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley,which concerned the effects ofSheridan'sfall 1864 campaign on civilians.,Heatwole'sShenandoah Voices: Folklore, Legends, and Traditions of the Valley,published in 1995, featured recollections of people he interviewed who grew up in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Beginning in 1992, Heatwole hostedWSVARadio's "Civil War on the Air" – a monthly, two hour call in radio program about theAmerican Civil War.He also hosted a WSVA program on Valley folklore, and an additional show at a Lexington radio station.He served as adviser to theFrontier Culture Museum of VirginiainStaunton, Virginia,and has consulted withTime-Life Books.

Heatwole served on many committees and boards related to art and history throughout his life, including service as chair of the Rockingham County Bicentennial Committee.By 1998,Congressappointed Heatwole to theShenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Commission.Heatwole also served on the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, created by the Commission. His preservation efforts included the site of the shooting of Union Lt.John Rodgers MeigsnearDayton, Virginia.

Selected works

Articles

• Heatwole, John L. (October 31, 2003). "The Upland Witches".Daily News-Record.Harrisonburg, Virginia: Byrd Newspapers.
• Heatwole, John L. (December 23, 2004). "'Let The Belsnicklers In!'".Daily News-Record.Harrisonburg, Virginia: Byrd Newspapers.

Books

• Heatwole, John L. (1998).The Burning: Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley.Charlottesville, VA: Rockbridge Pub.ISBN9781883522186.
• Heatwole, John L. (1995).Shenandoah voices: folklore, legends, and traditions of the Valley.Berryville, VA: Rockbridge Pub. Co.ISBN9781883522070.
• Heatwole, John L (2000).Chrisman's Boy Company: a history of the Civil War service of Company A, 3rd Battalion, Virginia Mounted Reserves.Bridgewater, Virginia: Mountain and Valley Pub.ISBN9781893934085.
• Virginia and West Virginia Mountain and Valley Folk Life Series,11 booklets

Awards

• Jefferson Davis Historical Medal, Turner Ashby Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (2003). "for his life-long work to preserve history, including the publication of his latest book," The Burning. "
• Shenandoah University President's Award for Outstanding Service in Community History,Shenandoah University(2003)
• Carrington Williams Preservation Award, TheShenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation(2006)
• Rockingham County Board of Supervisors Resolution (2006).
• Senate Joint Resolution No. 430: Celebrating the life of John L. Heatwole,U.S. Congress (2007)

References

• Bolgiano, Chris; Mastrangelo, Tara (2010)."A Guide to the John L. Heatwole Personal Papers, 1973–1995".Special Collections, James Madison University.Retrieved24 November2016.
• Clarke, Jessica (February 13, 1999). "Awl In The Family Teacher And Master Woodcarver Is Also Author Of 'The Burning'".Daily News-Record.Harrisonburg, Virginia.
• DeHart, Carol Maureen (2007).John L. Heatwole,The Word Gatherer.Staunton, VA: Lot's Wife Publishing.ISBN9781934368022.
• Heatwole, David (2016)."John L. Heatwole: The Wizard of Wood".Retrieved24 November2016.
• Melliot, Jeff (May 25, 2004). "30 Years Of Creativity".Daily News-Record.
• Melliot, Jeff (November 25, 2006). "Valley Loses An Eloquent Voice - Heatwole Gained Prominence As Artist, Storyteller, Preservationist".Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, VA).
• U.S. Senate (2007)."Senate Joint Resolution No. 430".Retrieved24 November2016.
• Wright, Dan (March 12, 2003). "Historian-Author Heatwole Is The Man To See About Valley History".Daily News-Record.Harrisonburg, Virginia: Byrd Publishing.

External links

• The Art of John L. Heatwole III,Flickr gallery maintained by David Heatwole
• A Guide to the John L. Heatwole Collection, 1802-1901,Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University.
• A Guide to the John L. Heatwole Personal Papers, 1973-1995,Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University.